A Clarkton man was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to two bank robberies in 2013.

Ottis McGill, 39, of Clarkton, pleaded guilty March 31 to two counts of common law robbery and being a habitual felon, according to a news release from District Attorney Ben David. On Tuesday, he was sentenced in New Hanover County Superior Court to two consecutive sentences for each charge, totaling 234-306 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections.

McGill was arrested Sept. 9, 2013. He was charged in connection with a robbery at NewBridge Bank, 704 S. College Road, just before 11:30 a.m. Sept. 6, 2013. McGill reportedly asked a clerk about a Visa card transaction, David said. But when the clerk asked for his identification, he demanded money. More than $2,000 was taken from the bank.

He was also charged with a robbery at Western Union, 209 N. Second St., at about 5 a.m., Aug. 21, 2013, when he reportedly entered the bank and took money from the cash register. David said more than $6,000 was taken from the business.

Detectives with the police department, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, were able to identify McGill though surveillance video of the robbery and secure warrants for his arrest, according to Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, who spoke about the case after McGill’s arrest.

Police released surveillance images of the NewBridge Bank robbery in September 2013. Photo courtesy of WPD.

“McGill was wanted in three cities in North Carolina for a spree of both armed and common law robberies that spread from Elizabethtown, Lumberton and finally into Wilmington,” Evangelous said.

McGill has a lengthy criminal history including multiple convictions for common law robbery, David said. He has also been prosecuted in the past for being a habitual felon.

In March 2005, McGill was convicted of being a habitual felon, common law robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, speeding to elude arrest, and misdemeanor hit and run, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections. McGill served a sentence of 11 years and six months and was released from prison April 3, 2013. Less than five months later, he robbed the first of two Wilmington banks.

McGill has pending charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of stolen goods or property in Bladen County Superior Court, according to court records.

Assistant District Attorney Kristen Robinson handled the prosecution of this case for the state.